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Hokitika Guardian, 28 November 1925, Page 2

Ijikhk has been a marked outpouring of loyal sympathy to the* Royal Family in the demise of Queen Alexandra. A noble lady of the land, she had won the hearts of all. Her character and bearing had dignified even the high office she held. Her manner and her actions had endeared her to the people, and won the hearts of those with whom she was best known. The life she led was a noble one, and her jtersonal work to the nation may he measured best hv that. Queen Alexandra came to England a stranger. She has died one of the liest known ladies in all the Umpire. She won a reputation which has become world wide and from every r|Uarter ol the glolx* a tribute has been paid. The [icr.sonal tribute at Home where she was known most intimately has lieen very remarkable. Her nobility of character, and the desire always to he charitable displayed virtues which were understood and appreciated very readily by the people. She was a noble mother, and motherhood was her greatest glory. The British Umpire has a long line of royal jiersonagos in the crowded history of the realm, and of the reigning Houses, the present has given the Kingdom and the Empire, three very noble Queens in Victoria, Alexandra and Mary. The Royal Family as much through its reigning Queens as other factors, has come to lie endeared very closely in the hearts of the people. On the regal side of the constitution tlie nation 'has lieen well and faithfully served by its suo

eoeding occupants of tbe throne. In Queen Alexandra there was in particular it very notable example ot a good woman bent on going about doing good and serving her newly found people with all the earnest endeavour possible. As Queen and Queeu-.Moth.er, Alexandra filled her part in a convincing and winning way. Coming from another land she had first ot all to break down national. prejudice against a foreign invader. But the invasion was altogether worth while, lor it brought to England a type of womanhood which the people loved, and any barrier was soon demolished and the new arrival and the people were at one. Those cordial relations grew in intensity as the years went by, till now at the passing of the Queen, she is mourned Empire-wide ns one of the nation who may least he spared. The glory which is (ributed to her now testifies to the reality of her life and living for the benefit of the common weal, it was a life well spent.

Tint figures affecting the national licensing poll are now complete, and compared with previous years’ returns are striking. The comparative figures are ;

The figures supply an interesting eomparison. Of the total votes, the gain in the past six yours lias been as billows:— Continuance • • ■ oth.T&l State Control . 21.(82 Prohibition .... 10,200 The chief gain has been, relatively, for State Control, but there has been some gain also for the Continuance vote. The Prohibition voting has suffered chiefly in the transfer of votes to the issue affecting State Purchase and Control. As the figures stand the Government will be encouraged to set about tbe promise ol amending the laws affecting licensing and the poll. Oil the figures with the steady increase in the volume ol 11:<• vote against Nationsi Prohibition there is every reason to hope for a permanently increased tenure. The growth of the majority against Prohibition has increased materially over the past six years. It is now nearly eleven and a-halt times greater than it was in 1919. .Judging bv the voice of the people the dav of Prohibition is further postponed, if not indefinitely and such being the ease, there is the reasonable consideration to make the licensing laws better all round. There is already a proposal to introduce corporate control in the licensing district of Oliinemnri which lias just voted for restoration of li-

"ense. The law as it stands at present Toes not permit this to be brought to oass and before the law can be changed t'-e licensing of houses in the ordinary wav will operate. But seeing that there is a demand increasing for State Control, it would be well when tbe licensing law is being amended to consider wlnit might be done in the future in districts where licenses are restored in regard to either corporate or State out ml ns something ot an experiment. The subject is one which must mil lie ignored, for there is the desire •'or practical reform and a modified ox'leriinent would be helpful in shaping ■iiiblie opinion for future guidance. The figures now available indicate the I rend of public opinion on tbe general ■lUestion an aversion to National Prohibition. That is the oatstanding lesson for the moment, and it must have same effect ill moulding legislation when the subject is taken up in the immediate future.

Contin. 1919 211,251 1922 2S2.669 1925 299.5*1 State Con. 32.2(51 35,727 50,013 IVoliih. 273,512 270,250 318,396 300.791 355,627 319,150 3,262 17.605 36,177